Remember how the Flyers would almost always use Antero Niittymaki as the goalie against Atlanta?

Nitty was a Thrashers-killer. Just like Sergei Bobrovsky is an Islanders-killer.

Which is why the man they call “Bob” will be in the nets on Thursday night against the visiting New York Islanders.

In his young career, Bob is 7-0 with a 1.86 goals-against average and .944 save percentage against the Isles.

Last Thursday, Bobrovsky set the tone of the Flyers’ 3-2 win over the host Islanders by stopping Michael Grabner on a penalty shot just 2:49 into the game.

Overall, Bobrovsky is 10-3-1 with a 2.42 GAA and .921 save percentage this season.

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Provided the Isles' Steve Staios plays on Thursday, don't be surprised if there’s some retribution.

Staios hit Max Talbot in the head late in last week’s game, but he did not get a penalty and was not disciplined by the NHL.

After the game, Talbot was critical of the hit.

“That’s what we’re trying to stop in the NHL _ shots like that head shot,” he said.

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The Flyers have won 23 of their last 24 against the Isles. Like Minnesota on Tuesday, the Islanders are on a father-son bonding trip.

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Chris Pronger's wife, Lauren, told CSN her husband has "good days, bad days. It's been a lot of trauma going on, and we're just praying right now....He's battling. He wants to be out there more than anybody. It's tough for all of us to watch him go through this."

Pronger, the Flyers' captain, is expected to miss the rest of the season with a concussion. He was not able to attend Wednesday's Flyers fashion show because it was a "bad day" for him, said his wife, who hosted the event.

"It breaks his heart, breaks my heart," Lauren Pronger said.

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The Flyers remain four points behind the first-place New York Rangers in the Atlantic Division; the Rangers face the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.